The Anambra State Government has arrested a 47-year-old woman, Onyinyechi Charles, for allegedly operating an unlicensed traditional birth attendant facility in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area
Charles, an indigene of Abia State, is accused of carrying out caesarean sections, normal deliveries and other surgical procedures without authorisation.
The arrest followed an investigation ordered by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, as part of the government’s ongoing crackdown on illegal medical practices.
During an inspection of the facility on Sunday, Obidike, accompanied by the Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Ifeanyi Chinweze, and security operatives, recovered surgical instruments, hospital beds and other medical equipment allegedly used for the unauthorised procedures.
Officials also discovered what appeared to be a shrine and an altar inside the premises.
Reacting to the discovery, Obidike described the facility as a serious threat to public health, stressing that the government would not allow unqualified individuals to endanger lives under the guise of providing healthcare.
He urged residents, especially pregnant women, to seek treatment only at government-approved hospitals and licensed healthcare facilities.
He said:
“The Ministry of Health will sustain its surveillance and enforcement operations across the state to identify and prosecute illegal medical practitioners.
“The state government remains committed to sanitising the health sector and ensuring that only licensed and qualified healthcare professionals provide medical and surgical services in the state.
“What was found at that illegal facility is disturbing and a serious threat to public health. The state government will not allow unqualified individuals to endanger the lives of residents under the guise of providing healthcare. Anyone found violating the law will face the full weight of legal sanctions.
“The premises have been sealed pending the outcome of legal proceedings, while the suspect will be arraigned before a competent court.”
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Like people were going to her?? Women why not go to a general hospital